Jackson Middle School student saves family from house fire page 2

Anoka-Hennepin’ s Fit for the Future Task Force, which is studying facility needs in the school district, is nearing completion of its work, and final recommendations are expected in January.

Since beginning its work last April, the 34-member task force of community and staff members has met six times in an effort to study the long-term classroom and facility needs of Anoka-Hennepin’ s schools and programs over the next 10 to 15 years.

The task force has listened to presentations on facility needs at all levels, enrollment growth, community growth, demographic changes, transportation, community education program needs, media center needs, and finance. In addition, the group has toured the district’ s five regular high schools, and saw a recent district-wide facility utilization study.

Among the greatest challenges the district is facing is a sudden increase in enrollment in Anoka-Hennepin’ s schools. While demographers predicted an enrollment increase of 165 students for this school year, the now-official Oct. 1 numbers show an increase of 644 students across the organization— 479 more than expected. That’ s on top of the 2,024 students

University Avenue teacher honored for integrating STEM into art

The Fit for the Future Task Force works in small groups during its Sept. 8 meeting at Coon Rapids High School.

One facility challenge the task force is studying is the use of portable classrooms, such as those at Champlin Park High School.

attending Anoka-Hennepin schools through open enrollment, an increase of 372 over two years ago.

Another space challenge is the increased need for special education classrooms. Some 15.1 percent of Anoka- Hennepin students receive special education services, an increase of nearly 2 percent since 2006, and the program’ s

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FALL 2016

Partnerships bring unexpected benefits

By Superintendent David Law

In today’ s schools we expect our students to reach and even exceed academic goals in preparation for success in an increasingly competitive world. As students build this academic foundation, schools seek to imbed the life skills of teamwork and collaboration.

Creating a better world for us all will require our students to master working together to solve problems and create solutions. Already this school year we have witnessed some strong examples of how students working together have made a difference. In addition, we have also experienced areas where partnerships have provided benefits that could not be predicted.

Student leaders at Andover High School took on an environmental challenge for both the school and community, an effort that was rewarded with a first-place finish in the Wyland National Mayor’ s Challenge for Water Conservation. Students developed a multimedia campaign and coordinated efforts with community organizations and city officials all rallying around a common water reduction goal. Their efforts not only resulted in the City of continued on page 6

Sat., Jan. 21 I 9 a. m. to 1 p. m.

Roosevelt Middle School • 650 – 125th Ave. NE, Blaine

Free for the entire family!

Keynote speaker: Jerrid Sebesta

Formerly seen on KARE11-TV Jerrid challenges audiences to look at their own personal dreams, then pursue them with passion.

• Sampler fitness classes for adults

• Educational wellness seminars

• Multi-sport and fitness youth activities

• Early childhood activities, bounce house

• Open swim( 1:30-3:30 p. m.)

• Book and DVD swap

• 30 + local wellness exhibitors

anoka. k12. mn. us / communitywellnessday

Presented by:

Sponsored by: